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Azaleas in the Isabella Plantation

Yesterday Yannick, Travelling Dave and I set off on an expedition to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park. If you’re a west Londoner you’ll be wondering why I describe it as an expedition when you go there all the time, but for a north Londoner like me it’s a trek into unknown country. What attracted us was the reputation of the azaleas in the Isabella Plantation and we weren’t disappointed.

Richmond Park is an area of grass and woodland three times the size of Hampstead Heath. The Isabella Plantation is on the south side of and it’s not easy to reach by public transport; we opted for the 85 bus and a mile-long walk from the Robin Hood Gate. We weren’t sure what to expect, so we just followed our noses to the nearest azaleas and took it from there.

We walked down a path beside a little stream bordered on each side by extravagant amounts of azaleas in flower. There seemed no end to it.

We took a diversion to a peaceful open area dotted with more azaleas and a pleasant open pond called Thompson’s Pond.

Then we headed back up the path by the stream, walking on the other side until we reached the grand finale, the Still Pond with its massed banks of azaleas.

We had perfect weather for an astounding day out. All three of us took far too many photos, but I’ve distilled mine down to bring you the best in this post.

These are so beautiful, Fran! I caught some azaleas here in Kyushu this year but the season was early and I missed the peak at the spots I wanted to hit in Saga Prefecture. Ah well. I’ll just enjoy these pictures and dream of next year!

Any plans to revisit the Isabella Plantation this year? The park website say the azaleas are best from late April to early May, but I wonder if this year’s early spring means that the peak might be in late April.